President George H.W. Bush said, "Read my lips: no new taxes." When he had to raise taxes he did it without a government shutdown.

Candidate Donald Trump said, "Mexico is going to pay for the wall." Americans must refuse to pay for the president's bait and switch wall funding.

The parties responsible for the government shutdown − President Trump, Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and Mitch McConnell − (who represent their self-interest) must use their assets to fund the wall and pay the salaries of the government employees working without pay or on furlough.

As a granddaughter of Irish immigrants, I am appalled by the inhumane treatment of people on the southern borders. Congress needs to reform immigration legislation immediately.

Eleanor Susan Laplace

Old Saybrook